UK stockpiles of monkeypox vaccines are being boosted five-fold as fears grow that the virus is spreading.
Britain has around 5,000 smallpox jabs – which are also around 85 per cent effective at preventing the new bug.
Britain has around 5,000 smallpox jabs[/caption]
The arms and torso of a patient with skin lesions due to monkeypox[/caption]
So far, nine cases have been picked up in the UK since early May, with just one infection linked to travel to West Africa.
With infections now spreading in the community, officials are braced for a significant surge in numbers over the next 24 hours.
Health bosses insist the overall risk to the public remains low.
But Sajid Javid has ordered the UK Health Security Agency to take a belt and braces approach and secure a further 20,000 doses.
It comes as health chiefs have started to vaccinate close contacts of known cases – including medics and relatives.
The Health Secretary had previously secured 5,000 doses of the monkeypox jab last year to ensure Britain was prepared.
Most read in Health
A Whitehall source said: “Sajid directed procurement of the relevant vaccine months ago as a precautionary measure but we are making sure we are further ahead of the curve by taking decisive action to secure even more of the vaccine.
“We aren’t too worried at this point but will be keeping a very close eye on the situation. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”
Monkeypox is usually associated with travel to West Africa.
But there are currently outbreaks in Britain, Portugal, Spain and the United States, triggering alarm among public health experts.
Symptoms include fever, headaches, swellings, aches, chills and exhaustion.
A rash can develop, often beginning on the face, which then spreads to other parts of the body including the genitals.
Scabs later form, which can often be confused with chickenpox or syphilis.
The bug is usually spread through close contact – such as touching used clothing or bedding, coughs and sneezes, or having sex with an infected individual.
Seven of the UK cases have been in gay or bisexual men who have not travelled to Africa.
It has led to health chiefs warning they should be on the lookout for new unexplained rashes.
Commenting on the rise in UK infections, Dr Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA, said: “These latest cases, together with reports of cases in countries across Europe, confirms our initial concerns that there could be spread of monkeypox within our communities.
“We are particularly urging men who are gay and bisexual to be aware of any unusual rashes or lesions and to contact a sexual health service without delay if they have concerns.”
Read More on The Sun
Prof Kevin Fenton, from the UKHSA, said close contacts and health staff will be prioritised for immunisation.
Speaking to BBC London Radio, he said the strategy was to “make sure we vaccinate the highest priority people”.